School of Engineering

Welcome to the School of Engineering

About Us

The School of Engineering was established on 1st September 2010 following a decision by the University Senate in 2008 to restructure schools. Prior to this, engineering programmes were offered in two schools namely, the School of Technology and the school of built Environment. The creation of the School of engineering hence amalgamated all the engineering subjects under one umbrella.

The Vision is reinforced through the University Motto “ Knowledge and Service ” that offers its “ Clients ” the very best personal development by way of enlightenment using a structured path that guarantees rich knowledge acquisition.

The mission of The School of Engineering is to advance knowledge and educate students in science and technology that will best serve Zambia and the world in the 21st century. We are committed to supporting talented Zambians and international students, and to developing partnerships with industry, funding bodies and government agencies, in order to create an exemplary environment where discovery, scholarship, innovation, commercial exploitation and public engagement thrive.

The objectives as a School of Engineering with diverse history is to consolidate the learning and teaching strategies so that the academic effort and resource use are optimised to offer the best learning and teaching environment for our clients. To achieve these objectives, new programmes and courses were developed based on the long term vision of the University, i.e. to become the best in Zambia and the best among other Universities in Africa and the world.

Summary

By studying with us in the school of Engineering at CBU you will:

Be taught by exceptional and highly cited academic staff, a number of them world-leaders in their field.

Graduate with an internationally recognised and valued Bachelor of Engineering Degree with Honours qualification

WHO IS AN ENGINEER ?

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

Our goal is not to merely keep abreast with current engineering and technological advances, but to be pioneers of innovative solutions to mankind's complex engineering problems. We aim to awaken and inculcate in our students the spirit and culture of deep, analytical and scientific thought and investigation, coupled with the passion to contribute engineering solutions that will enormously contribute to the development of Zambia and stand the test of time.

The School is well known for its world-class research and inspirational teaching. Our graduates are the best in the country and are passionate about what they do since they have been trained to be innovative designers with intellect for solving complex engineering problems. Furthermore, our graduates have been trained to meet the National Transformation Strategy that will move the country from the developing to the developed world by 2040 through calibrated knowledge attainment that allows them

Developed modern systems used in the crashworthiness concept used in all road vehicles today that protect occupants in crashes

Developed the railway crashworthiness system used in all modern wagons to protect passengers in derailment crashes

Invented Railway lifeguard crash protection system on rail vehicles

Contributed in the design of many air, road and rail vehicles

Selected Major Achievements

The British Rail Award (Crashworthiness in Rail Vehicles)

The Henry Ford Prize for contributing to the safety of passenger vehicles

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers Holman Brothers Safety Award In Mechanical Engineering for the Best Research work and Paper Published on Aspects of Eliminating Danger to Health

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers T A Stewart-Dyer/Frederick Harvey Trevithick Award In Mechanical Engineering for the Best Research work and Paper Published in the Railway Division

Departments

Department of Civil Engineering & Construction

Civil Engineering is a broad field of engineering that deals with the planning, designing, construction, and maintenance of structures and altering nature to suit human needs. Some of the numerous subdivisions are transportation (e.g., railroad facilities, highways and tunnels in the ground); hydraulics (e.g., flood control, irrigation, drainage, water supply, and sewage disposal); and structures (e.g., high rise buildings, factory buildings and bridges).

The transport infrastructure, general municipal services and the construction industry in Zambia continue to demand local skills to ensure that such infrastructure and services are not only designed to internationally approved standards, but are also professionally constructed, managed and maintained.

The Department of Civil Engineering and Construction in the school of Engineering (SoE) addresses the above mentioned ‘local skills demand’ by offering the following programmes:

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering (Hons).

Bachelor of Science in Construction Management

Diploma in Civil Engineering

Diploma in Construction

The design of these programmes is to meet the various challenges of human resource development in the field of Civil Engineering.

Diploma in Civil Engineering

This course gives a broad understanding of all areas of civil engineering and is designed to produce technologists to fit in the middle management level.
There is particular emphasis on the skills needed to manage civil engineering works. Subjects like Building Construction, Wastewater Management, Design and Structural Drawing & Detailing skills are important elements of the course.

The Diploma programme is more practical oriented. Thus, from the onset practical subjects like Surveying and Drawing are offered right from the first year level of the programme.

This kind of approach continues until the third (final) year. In this final year, students are expected to carry out an independent study project, normally covering structural design and detailing.

On successful completion, the student has the option of pursuing a career in civil engineering or applying for entry into the second year of a Civil Engineering Degree programme later.

Civil Engineering Diploma holders can also enroll in other degree courses offered by the School of the Built Environment at Copperbelt University

Degree in Civil Engineering

The Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering is offered on full time basis over a minimum period of five years.

The first year is purely academic and is common to all the Bachelor of Engineering programmes offered by the School. From second year to third year the programme has the features of the general Civil Engineering degree but in fourth and fifth year students are more exposed to subjects dealing with Highway Engineering, Structural design, Construction Management and Water and Wastewater Engineering.

In the final year, students are expected to carry out an independent study project. This is usually a study of any civil engineering problem, with a view to come up with ways of tackling that particular engineering problem.

Diploma in Construction

The demand for personnel in the construction industry to acquire higher qualifications has increased in recent years. The Department of Civil Engineering has recognized the need to provide education to those people who may not be able to pursue the normal full time study at CBU, as one of its objects. The Department of Civil Engineering is offering the Diploma in Construction on part-time basis. The programme is in the evenings and it runs for four years.

Admission Requirements

For a school-leaver to qualify for admission into the Department of Civil Engineering, a candidate must obtain credits (or better – as is usually the case) in five subjects in the Zambian School Certificate Examinations, or equivalent as follows:

Diploma Programme

The applicant should satisfy the following requirements:

At least credits in Mathematics and English Language and any one science subject from :

Science

Physical Science

Physics

Chemistry

Any two subjects from :

Additional Mathematics

Biology

Economics/Principles of Accounts/Commerce

History

Literature in English

Art

Geometrical and Mechanical

Geography

A language other than English

Religious Knowledge

Civil Engineering Degree

A candidate must have obtained at least five credits (or better – as is usually the case) in subjects in the Zambia School Certificate (or equivalent) as follows:

Group A: English, Mathematics and Science (OR either Physics or Chemistry) - three compulsory subjects

Group B: Any other two Subjects.

Where a candidate presents both Physics and Chemistry, only one of these will be considered. However, the candidate should have obtained a minimum of credit in the other subject.

A separate system of entry requirements is available for non-school leavers.

Degree in Construction

Candidates for the admission to the four-year Diploma must have credits in five subjects in the School Certificate as follows:

Group A (Two subjects) English and Mathematics (both subjects compulsory)

Group B (any one) Physics Physical Science or Chemistry

Group C (Two subjects) Any two subjects offered at school certificate not mentioned above

Candidates from Industry

Candidates with Certificate in Construction offered by the school may also be considered for admission to the Diploma Programme in the third year.
Candidates who have been excluded from the full time programme at CBU may also be considered to enter the Diploma programme at a given year depending at which year the candidate was excluded from the full time programme.

Department of Electrical Engineering

The department of Electrical Engineering offers degree and diploma programmes in the field of Electrical, Electronics and Telecommunication engineering. These fields touch almost every area of our existence. They are a part of the fastest changing fields of technology and offers professional challenges and satisfaction to both men and women. Electrical and electronic engineering involves the generation, distribution, supply and exploitation of electrical energy. It deals with control of resources, transport, entertainment and telecommunication.

Our main goal as a department is to ensure that we educate students in modern Electrical, Electronics and Telecommunication engineering principles as well as lifelong professional growth and a dynamic range of careers as professional engineers and technologists, through an education that is built upon fundamental principles of lasting value in the context of real applications and design experience. This involves high level of technical knowledge and understanding and, most importantly, the skill and ability to apply this to design.

Department of Mechanical Engineering

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is one of the departments in the school of Engineering and is located at the Main Copperbelt University Campus in Kitwe. The Departmental Office is situated in the Mechanical Engineering Block where staff are available to assist with administrative matters. The department is a breeding ground for leading international research and collaborates closely with industry.
Mechanical Engineering department envisions an education and research program with a balanced combination of fundamental and application aspects, thereby aiming at providing industry with scientifically educated and application-driven engineers who have entrepreneurship skills.

The Department offers three Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical, Mechatronics and Aeronautical Engineering.

Student Research

Research projects start in their 4th year under the supervision of the members of staff. The Mechanical Engineering Department expects the students to understand the use of different research methods.

Members of the Mechanical Engineering Department are involved in conducting various research:

Diploma Programmes

Admissions

Requirements

Students are normally enrolled and admitted to the School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences for their first year; where they do their Advanced Level Sciences. They come to the School of Engineering in their second year based on their performance. At this stage they do Fundamental Engineering Sciences at the end of which they get streamlined in the three Departments of the School – at third year. The Diploma students on the other hand, are enrolled directly to the School under the respective Departments.

Requirements for Diploma Programmes

For admission to the Diploma Programmes, the applicant should satisfy the following requirements:

At least Ordinary level passes in Mathematics and English Language and any one Science subject from: Science, Physical Science, Physics, Chemistry.
N.B. If a candidate offers Physical Science and Science, this will be counted as one subject.

Two (2) subjects from other subjects such as Additional Mathematics, Biology, Principles of Accounts, Commerce, History, Literature in English, Geometrical and Mechanical Drawing, etc.

Candidates holding a good Advanced Certificate (i.e. an average score of at least 60%) in a subject relevant to the School’s programmes may be admitted to Diploma programmes in the first year.

Requirements for Undergraduate Degree

For admission to an undergraduate degree in the School of Engineering, a candidate must fulfil the following requirements:

Meet the General Entrance Requirements of the Copperbelt University, i.e. should have obtained FIVE (5) GCE ‘O’ Level credits or better in the Zambian School Certification or its equivalent, and

Satisfy the following particular requirements prescribed by the School of Engineering as follows; at least ordinary level passes in the following subjects;

English language

Mathematics

c) Either one or two subjects from Physical Science, Science, Chemistry, and Physics. N.B. If a candidate offers Physical Science and Science, this will be counted as one subject.

Depending on the subject(s) taken by the student in (c) above, a candidate may be required to have taken either one or two subjects from Biology, Additional Mathematics, Geography, Geometrical and Mechanical Drawing, History, Literature in English, Human and Social Biology, Religious Subject, Zambian Language, Commerce, and Principles in Accounts.

Requirements for Postgraduate Degree

For admission to a postgraduate degree in the School of Engineering, a candidate must fulfil the following requirements:

Masters Degree [MEng(Hons), MSc, MPhil)

Direct Entry Route To Postgraduate

BEng (Hons) Degree with minimum CREDIT or Second Class Division Two (2:2)

Alternative Entry Route To Postgraduate

Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD):

BEng Ordinary Degree + 48 Credits from Electives in the Graduate School

Direct Entry Route to Postgraduate

MEng (Hons), MSc, MPhil Degree

Alternative Entry Route to Postgraduate

BEng (Hons) Degree with min. Credit or Second Class Division Two through MPhil to PhD

Rules & Regulations

Rules

How will I be assessed ?

In summary, we employ a variety of assessment methods in the school of Engineering. All Diploma, Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes are non-modular or course-based, which means you undertake courses of study with continuous assessment, phase tests, projects and at the end of the year you are assessed through written examinations.

Most courses are assessed by a single exam (usually lasting between two and three hours), and many also incorporate coursework in the form of a report describing a project assignment. Project-based courses are assessed by one or more reports, in some cases written jointly with group members.

The final year project (worth 48 Credits at BEng(Hons) or 72 Credits at MEng(Hons) of the final year) is assessed by a combination of written thesis, oral examination and presentations. Project work, assessments and feedback in tutorial sessions are vital for students’ understanding about how different aspects of the curriculum interlink and this helps the student understand the practical context for the skills and knowledge they are developing.

The teaching year is divided into three terms of 10 weeks each for undergraduates and diploma programmes, while the postgraduate is divided into two semesters of 14 weeks each. Although at postgraduate, the teaching year is divided into semesters for organisational purposes, this is fitted into the traditional pattern of three terms.

Regulations

Student Handbooks

As a student in the School of Engineering you are privileged to know that you are le crème de la crème of Zambian youth from secondary school as you enter engineering with the best GCE ‘ O ’ Level results (currently between 6 and 8 points). We expect you to perform to the best of your ability. Forget about secondary school, now you have to work harder and read a lot independently as we prepare you to become a graduate engineer who designs, add value to Zambian natural resources and create jobs.

Therefore to be successful, you need to follow rules and regulations laid down for you to maximise your success in your academic life in the School of Engineering. The regulations are laid down in handbooks for your preferred programmes. These handbooks can be downloaded as follows:

Careers

The School of Engineering at the Copperbelt University is the most targeted School by Zambian’s leading graduate employers. Our Honours degrees (the first in Zambia) open up a whole world of opportunity and prospects. Many students pursue fantastic careers in engineering, while others become entrepreneur or enter the management and commerce sector including software and IT. Others also continue their studies with further postgraduate education.

Students in the third and fourth years have Industrial Placement with major companies. This allows students to work in industry so that they can apply knowledge gained in academic studies to problem solving in a ‘real life’ industrial situation – and they graduate with engineering work experience.

It is our priority to prepare you for future success as an engineer able to design. Each year we organise an exclusive annual careers event specifically for our students.
The following companies are typical of those attending to recruit our students: MOPANI, FQM, KCM, Chambeshi Metals, Zamtel, MTN, Airtel, Samsung, Atkins; ZAF, Army, Police, Civil service, NGOs, Utilitity companies (ZESCO, CEC, Lusemfwa, Water comapniesetc.), and many small companies that employ between 2 and 5 of our graduates.

Last academic year we directly supplied graduates to ZESCO, Zamtel, FQM, and many small Medium Enterprises. Our new programmes are developed to equip you with the practical experiences that underpin the theoretical knowledge.

As a School of Engineering graduate, you will receive lifelong support through our Alumni service. This means that you can still continue to play a big role in the life of the school by donating industrial ideas that help us improve our curricula. Donate equipment or funds for a laboratory.

It allows you to gain recognition for participating in a wide range of activities accredited by the School and University and shows employers that you have gained valuable skills from us.

Be an Engineer with Honours Be the Best
Prof. E. Clive Chirwa , 2015 Academician, Engineer, Inventor, Entrepreneur

Research & Projects

Research

Research excellence in any university is a pillar of academic distinction. In the school of engineering we believe in the research that supports and sentients all of our teaching. We also believe in interdisciplinary work and this in the School ranges from collaborative research at the science-engineering interface, through fundamental studies in enabling technologies, to applied research in partnership with industry.

To manage properly the research activities, a number of Research and Knowledge Transfer Priority Groups exist in the school. These are areas of key focus, which support the delivery of excellence in research and knowledge transfer.

These research priority groups:

maximise the visibility and impact of the School’s research activities;

secure significant levels of external funding to support their research activities;

become an institutional champion for their topic;

incorporate interdisciplinary collaborations of international quality;

provide a first-class environment for career development and training;

attract high quality staff, postgraduates and strategic partnerships.

The following are the six Priority Groups in key thematic areas with the potential to grow and deliver an influential amount of world-class research and knowledge transfer addressing global issues and challenges:

Crashworthiness & Impact Biomechanics Research Group

Water & Sanitation Research Group

Materials & Structures Research Group

Electronic and Communication Technology Research Group

Geotenics Research Group

Transport Research Group

Energy Technology Research Group

Projects

Experimental study of the effect of n-butanol-methanol-gasoline blends on the quality of lubs and wear and tear in spark ignition engines (Dr L Siwale).

The effects of casting pressure on slump, shear and compressive strengths, density, and elastic modulus of sawdust on concrete blocks (B Paul) .

Spin-Out Companies

The Copperbelt University School of Engineering research and student outputs have over the years helped SMEs develop products that have been best sellers and have influenced the market. The school is now entering a new phase of growth and has decided to form spin-out companies that will drive forward the commercialisation of our research outcomes. The School is building its portfolio of spin-outs and these are our companies:

Traffic Lights Research (TLR)

Traffic Lights Research (TLR) was established in March 2015 to provide a means of further developing products and engaging with the market place through a dedicated vehicle.

This was borne from a student project and supervisors who had the vision to see such a product developed by the School for Zambia. Today we boast of our increased customer base as we install more and more traffic lights around the country using technology developed at The Copperbelt University School of Engineering.

If your town, city is in need of traffic lights, contact us. We will

Design;

Manufacture;

Install;

and maintain the traffic lights

Linkages & Partnerships

As the top School of Engineering in Zambia we engage a lot with industry through collaborative work. We have an impressive record of working with the mines, utility companies, SMEs, and global multi-national businesses.

Our linkages are propped by our ethos to gain a deep understanding of your business so that we can maximise the quality of services to provide to you. This allows us to respond to your individual needs – engaging with you for the long term to develop a partnership of mutual benefit.

Our corporate linkages and partnerships include:

Opportunities to network with senior management responsible for specialist deliverables;

Opportunities to engage into an interdisciplinary innovation studies;

Access to the unique specialist research facilities, knowledge and know-how.

Our Corporate Partners utilise our strengths across many disciplines in engineering. Like any good relationship, our partnerships require a certain level of commitment. But the rewards are fulfilling, quantifiable and have long-term benefits. Some of the partners include

Consultancy

Thank you for visiting. You are at the right place if you are looking for new ideas, skills and expertise or even new ways to give your business a competitive edge so that it moves forward with a bang.

Let us work for you to solve your complex engineering problems. Utilise the expertise and experience of specialist consultants so that you maximise your competitive advantage. Ring today and get access to experts across many fields.

Commercial Development

At the School of Engineering, we always have your business needs in mind, so please contact Business development Manager to see what support we can provide.

A wide range of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) continue to benefit from our skills and facilities in the school of engineering. Help can include:

designing tools and machines for improved productivity;

identification of opportunities to work together as we focus on the development of enterprise and entrepreneurial skills that enable commercialisation of research outputs;

Road and bridge construction design to highest international standards;

ICT systems design for businesses, media and industry;

Aircraft, automotive and railway vehicle design;

Value Addition to Natural resources including agriculture;

Energy (hydro and Solar) and water/sanitation;

Advising Government (National and International) on development policy strategies that take a Third World Country to the First World through industrialisation;

Please get in touch we would be delighted to hear from you.

Our extensive knowledge allows us to offer a new way of thinking in order to assist in the Value Addition chain of agricultural produces, development of processes and technology for Value Addition of Copper, Zinc, Nickel, Brass and other minerals, energy and water consumption strategies, etc.

We provide cutting edge knowledge through our professionals. We can help you in commercialising your Intellectual property (IP).

Boards

Advisory Board

The School Advisory Board comprises industrialists from companies and institutions with association with the School of Engineering through a history of providing student employment, placements and projects, involvement with collaborative research or consultancy of specific industrial relevance to the School and those with keen interest in the development of the right human resource necessary for the development of the Zambian economy.

While we constantly strive to keep our course-curricula up-to-date, we recognise the unique opportunity that the School of Engineering Advisory Board can offer in giving us real industrial input into our programmes. The Board assists in commenting on and helping in improving course provision and content, which in turn will assist students to acquire skills that are more relevant to the job market.

The Advisory Board consists of the following members from the industry, the Heads of Department in the School of Engineering and other members of the Copperbelt University staff and students:

Organisation

Representation

Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication

Representation

National Council for Construction

Chief Executive Officer

Copperbelt Energy Corporation

Director of Operations

Airtel

Chief Executive Officer

Konkola Copper Mines

General manager

Chambeshi Metals Plc

General Manager

Zamtel

Managing Director

Zambia Army

Director Technical Services

Zesco

Managing Director

National Science & Technology Council

Director

Education Partnership for Africa

Co-Director

Copperbelt University

Dean and Head of departments

Board of Studies

The Board of Studies is the governing body of the School of engineering. It is charged with the responsibility of advising the university senate on all academic and related matters concerning the School’s programmes and regulations.

The membership of the BOARD is as follows :

The Dean of the School (Chairman)

The Assistant Dean

All Full-Time Academic Members of the School

All Staff Development Fellows in the School

One Representative from the School of Business

One Representative from the School of Built Environment

One Representative from the School of Natural Resources

One Representative from the School of Maths & Natural Sciences

One Representative from the Directorate of Distance Education and Open Learning

The Librarian

The Dean of Students

The Deputy Registrar (Academic)

Three Representatives from Industry

Three Student Representatives

The Administrative Assistant to the Dean (Secretary)

Board of Examiners

Board of Examiners is the body, which reviews all matters relating to examinations within the School and makes recommendations to the Senate Examinations Committee. Members of the board consist of the External Examiners and all internal examiners.

Department Boards

Department Boards are established to look into the running of the academic matters in the respective departments. They comprise all academic staff in those departments of the School, the external examiner, four student representatives from year 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively. These Boards are answerable to the Board of Studies.